How British attitudes to sex before marriage have changed
In short
Surveys show traditional views have weakened sharply. In British Social Attitudes, run since 1983, the share saying people who want children ought to marry fell from 70% in 1989 to 42% in 2012. The Natsal surveys, run since 1990–91, track sexual behaviour and attitudes over the same period.
What the full article will cover
- What do surveys measure about attitudes to sex before marriage?
- How have British views changed since the 1980s?
- Do age, religion and region make a difference?
- How do attitudes compare with behaviour?
- Is Britain more liberal than its neighbours?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the British Social Attitudes survey?
- Are religious Britons more likely to disapprove of sex before marriage?
- Did the 1960s really change British attitudes?
- When will Natsal-4 results be published?
Sources
- bsa.natcen.ac.uk — https://www.bsa.natcen.ac.uk/latest-report/british-social-attitudes-30/personal-relationships/introduction.aspx
- natcen.ac.uk — https://www.natcen.ac.uk/british-social-attitudes
- natsal.ac.uk — https://www.natsal.ac.uk/
General information, not legal or religious advice.